Clinical Significance of MiR-130b and MiR-125b as Biomarkers in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the role of miR-130b and miR-125b expression in Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) progression. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study was carried out on 150 subjects classified into three groups: Group I, 50 healthy controls; Group II, 50 patients with liver cirrhosis; Group III, 50 patients with HCV related HCC. The controls were frequency matched based on age and sex with the other groups. All individuals were subjected to testing for liver function, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and viral markers. miR-130b and miR-125b were detected in plasma using a quantitative real-time RT-PCR. RESULTS: miR-130b was significantly upregulated, whereas miR-125b was significantly downregulated in HCC patients compared with cirrhotic patients and healthy controls. There was a significant correlation between miR-130b and AFP and tumor size. Receiver operating curve (ROC) analyses suggested that plasma miR-130b had a significant diagnostic value for HCC with a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 77.5%. A sensitivity of 85.5% and a specificity of 82.5% was observed for miR-125b for HCC. CONCLUSION: Plasma miR-130b and miR-125b may play a role in disease progression and development of HCC and may act as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of HCC.